World's most prestigious distance learning awards were presented yesterday in Kansas City, Missouri for excellence in distance learning to individuals, organizations and companies.
Kansas City, MO (PRWEB) May 8, 2007 -- The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) yesterday presented its 2007 Distance Learning Awards in conjunction with the 20th Anniversary Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Since 1987, USDLA has been the world's premier distance learning association. The USDLA Awards program honors outstanding individuals and organizations for excellence in the field distance learning, education and training.
These prestigious Global Awards are presented annually to organizations and individuals engaged in the development and delivery of distance learning programs. Included in the recognition ceremony were awards for 21st Century Best Practice, Best Practice for Distance Learning Programming, Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching, Outstanding Leadership by an Individual, Hall of Fame and Eagle Awards.
The USDLA Awards are closely followed by the distance learning industry. "As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary as a premier organization for the entire distance learning profession, we enjoy honoring some of the leaders in the industry," said Dr. John G. Flores, CEO of USDLA. "Each year these winners raise the bar and exceed best practice expectations for the industry as a whole and we are truly honored by their contributions to the distance learning industry."
The USDLA Awards were created to acknowledge major accomplishments in distance learning and to highlight those distance learning instructors, programs, and professionals who have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary results through the use of online, videoconferencing, satellite and blended learning delivery technologies. In addition, this year’s awardees will be listed in the July 2007 edition of "Distance Learning Today," a quarterly supplement in USA TODAY. "Distance learning is transforming the American educational landscape, through on-line technology, video conferencing systems, satellite delivery and other media," Flores said. "We expect this supplement to be an invaluable guide for millions of present and potential distance learners as well as a means for our awards winners, member institutions and corporate sponsors to reach them."
For the 2007 Awards program, USDLA focused upon several major areas that exemplify the dynamic nature of distance learning. Please join us in honoring the following 2007 USDLA Award Winners, which include the following:
BEST PRACTICES AWARDS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMMING SATELLITE, VIDEO CONFERENCING & BLENDED MEDIA
PLATINUM
BJ HomeSat Network-Space and Earth Science
GOLD
BRP Technical Training Group-E-ssentials 4: Effective Troubleshooting
GOLD
BJ LINC-Biology
SILVER
Greenbush Interactive Distance Learning Network- Animal Adaptations
SILVER
University of Arizona College of Medicine-Rural Faculty Development Fellowship
BRONZE
BJ HomeSat Network-5th Grade English
BRONZE
BJ HomeSat Network-1st Grade Spelling
BRONZE
Mississippi State University Extension Service-Child Care: Early Learning Guidelines
BRONZE
Arkansas Department of Education-Arkansas Distance Learning Center (ADE)
BEST PRACTICES AWARDS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING TEACHING
VIDEO CONFERENCING ~ PRE K-12
PLATINUM
Dr. Evelyn Nelson-School Board of Broward County, Florida
BRONZE
Natalie Humphreys Office of Education – Arkansas School of Math and Science and Arts
BEST PRACTICES AWARDS FOR ONLINE DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMMING
ONLINE TECHNOLOGY ~ HIGHER EDUCATION
PLATINUM
Pepperdine University-Online Masters in Education Technology (OMET)
PLATINUM
Graceland University School of Education Online Graduate Faculty -Master of Education in Quality Schools
PLATINUM
Cambridge College-Master of Management “AdaptNet” Program
GOLD
University of Southern California School of Social Work-Diagnosing with the DSM-IV-TR
GOLD
UT TeleCampus – UT Arlington-The American Judicial System
GOLD
University of North Carolina Greensboro-ECON 201
SILVER
California Lutheran University-Online MBA in Financial Planning Program
BRONZE
University of Connecticut-Master of Science in Accounting Program
BEST PRACTICES AWARDS FOR ONLINE DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMMING
ONLINE TECHNOLOGY ~ BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS
PLATINUM
C2 Technologies, Inc.-U.S. Army Virtual Mobile Training Team
PLATINUM
TRC Interactive-BankTrainingOnline
GOLD
KC Distance Learning, Inc.-Aventa Learning Online World Language Course
GOLD
LSI Corporation-The Interactive Guide to the Simplicity Family of Products
GOLD
GE Plastics-Lexan 101
BEST PRACTICES AWARDS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING TEACHING ONLINE
ONLINE TECHNOLOGY ~ EDUCATION
PLATINUM
Celeste Fenton, Ph.D.-Hillsborough Community College
GOLD
Gerald Kramer-Keystone National High School
GOLD
Dr. Jeff W. Jones-University of North Carolina at Greensboro – History Dept.
GOLD
Dr. Mary Jane Clerkin-Berkeley College
GOLD
Dr. Rebekah K. Nix-UT TeleCampus and the University of Texas at Dallas
21ST CENTURY AWARDS
BEST PRACTICES IN DISTANCE LEARNING
Florida Virtual School-Pre K-12
Virtual High School-Pre K-12
UT TeleCampus – The University of Texas System-Higher Education
Bellevue University-Higher Education
University of Hawai’i – Manoa, College of Education-Higher Education
Northern Arizona University Distance Learning-Higher Education
PBS TeacherLine-Professional Development Education
Giunti Labs North America-Business / Corporation
Polycom, Inc.-Business / Corporation
OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP BY AN INDIVIDUAL
IN THE FIELD OF DISTANCE LEARNING
Anne Jorritsma, GE Plastics
Nishikant Sonwalkar, Cambridge College
Lisa McClure, iQ Academies of Wisconsin
Donald Dover, Washington State University
Ruth Blankenbaker, Center for Interactive Learning
USDLA 2007 HALL OF FAME
Michael A. Parmentier, Principal, Booz Allen Hamilton and Dr. Rodney L. Zent, Executive Director of Texas A&M University’s Educational Broadcast Services were selected by the USDLA board of directors for elevation to the USDLA Hall of Fame.
USDLA 2007 EAGLE AWARD
The Eagle Award was presented by USDLA to a nationally recognized public official that demonstrated unique leadership in distance learning. This year USDLA recognized Missouri Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond for his commitment to providing greater educational opportunities in his state by means of distance learning technology and especially his support of the Missouri School Boards' Association.
Mr. Don Lake, USDLA board member and chair of the awards committee, noted that, “Once again this year’s award winners represent many of the most innovative leaders in the field of distance learning.” He continued, “We look forward to seeing how these leaders will inspire the 2008 award entries.
